Snowplow



Nov.- 11, 1969 R. c. ZANELLA SNOWPLOW 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jill e,1965 F ll/l l// l/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,477,151 SNOWPLOWRobert C. Zanella, 67 Western Ave., Sherborn, Mass. 01770 Filed July 6,1965, Ser. No. 469,398 Int. Cl. E01h /06; E02f 3/76 US. Cl. 37-42 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to plows andmore particularly to a snowplow having a novel scraper blade forattachment to trucks, Jeeps and similar self-propelled vehicles.

The requirements of snow removal and the number of individuals engagedin snow removal operations have increased tremendously in recent years.The resulting increased demand for snow removal equipment has producedmany new snowplow devices of various sizes and utility. The snow removalequipment industry has continuously sought new devices for increasingthe efficiency and capacity of snow removal equipment. The importance ofthese objectives is evident when one considers the extremely rigid timerequirements for most. snow removal operations.

The object of this invention therefore is to provide an improved snowremoval device which exhibits a greater efficiency and capacity thanthose presently available.

One feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device having aprimary scraper blade straddled by a pair of pivotally connectedauxiliary scraper blades. The working surfaces of the auxiliary scraperblades are rotatable to positions making angles of less than 180 withthe working surface of the primary scraper blade thereby permitting aconfinement of the substance to be plowed.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe above featured type including control apparatus for producingsimultaneous pivotal movement of the auxiliary scraper blades therebygreatly simplifying their use.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe above featured types wherein the control apparatus allows theworking surface of one of the auxiliary scraper blades to be insubstantial alignment with the working surface of the primary bladewhile the working surface of the other auxiliary scraper blade makes anangle substantially less than 180 therewith thereby providing a plowdevice with a substantially increased working capacity.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe above featured types wherein the control apparatus includes adoubleended, double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly mounted on therear surface of the primary scraper blade and having opposed pistonspivotally connected to the auxiliary scraper blades.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe above featured types wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly ismounted to permit movement relative to the primary scraper blade in adirection substantially perpendicular thereto so as to preventmechanical binding during pivotal movement of the auxiliary scraperblades in response to the thrust of the opposed pistons.

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Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe above featured types including a mechanical stop for preventing theauxiliary scraper blade working surfaces from forming an angle greaterthan with the working surface of the primary scraper blade therebyproviding mechanical strength for the auxiliary blades during plowingoperations.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe first three above featured types wherein the control apparatusincludes a mechanical linkage connected between the primary scraperblade and the auxiliary scraper blades and adapted to produce pivotalmovement of the auxiliary blades in response to horizontal rotation ofthe primary scraper blade.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device ofthe above featured type wherein the mechanical linkage producessimultaneous pivotal movement of both auxiliary scraper blades in thesame direction as the inducing horizontal rotational movement of theprimary scraper blade. This automatically adjusts the auxiliary scraperblades for maximum capacity in response to normal horizontal positioningof the primary scraper blade.

These and other features and objects of the present invention willbecome apparent upon a perusal of the following specification taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a preferred plow embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plow device shown in FIG. 1 with theauxiliary scraper blades in the neutral position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly shown in FIGS.1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of the plow device shown in FIGS. 1-3with the auxiliary blades in position for discharging a plowed substanceto the left;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of the plow device shown in FIGS. 1-3with the auxiliary blades in position for discharging a plowed substanceto the right;

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of another preferred plow embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of the plow embodiment shown in FIG. 6;and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the plow embodiment shown in FIG. 6-.

Referring to FIGS. l-3 there is shown the primary scraper blade 11having a substantially straight working surface 12. Straddling theprimary blade 11 are the left auxiliary scraper blade 13 with a workingsurface 14 and the right auxiliary scraper blade 15 with the workingsurface 16. Each of the auxiliary blades 13, 15 is pivotally attached toprimary blade 11 by a pair of hinges 17 each having one end 18 attached,for example, by welding to the rear surface of the auxiliary blade andanother end 19 attached to the rear surface of primary blade 12 by nutand bolt assemblies 21. Also attached, for example, by welding to therear surfaces of auxiliary blades 13, 15 are the bumper stops 22 havingportions 23 which extend beyond the confines of the auxiliary blade andrestrict their movement by contacting the rear surface of the primaryblade 11. This contact occurs when the auxiliary blades working surfaces14, 16 are in alignment with the working surface 12 of the primary blade11.

Mounted, for example, by rivets from the rear surface 10 of the primaryblade 11 is the hydraulic cylinder assembly 24 having the double ended,double acting hydraulic cylinder 25. Projecting from the ends ofcylinder 25 are the opposing left piston rod 26 and right piston rod 27.One end of each connecting rod 30 is attached by a threaded connectionto one end of left piston rod 26 and right piston rod 27. The oppositeend of each connecting rod 30 is pivotally attached by connecting pins28 to one end of the pivot arms 29. The other ends of pivot arms 29 areattached, for example, by welding to the rear surfaces of left auxiliaryblade 13 and right auxiliary blade 15.

The hydraulic cylinder assembly 24 includes a pair of symmetricalhousings each having an open rear side, front wall 31 attached toprimary blade 11, a top wall 32, a bottom wall 33 and an end wall 34.The cylindrical supports 35 have central bores 36 accommodating thepiston rods 26, 27 and project through slots 37 in the end walls 34. Theexternal shoulders 38 of the supports 35 bear against the inner surfacesof end walls 34. Inner counter bores 39 in the supports 35 enclose theends of the hydraulic cylinder 25 and provide an inner bearing surface41 separated from the cylinder end walls by the annular gaskets 42.

The plow device shown in FIGS. 1-3 is preferably attached byconventional apparatus (not shown) to the front of a suitable propellingvehicle such as a truck, Jeep, etc. Such conventional attachmentapparatus normally includes hydraulic controls for producing horizontalrotational in addition to vertical movement of the scraping blade. Withthe auxiliary blades 13, 15 in the positions shown in FIG. 2 and thepropelling vehicle proceeding in the indicated direction D the workingsurfaces 12, 14, 16 of the primary and auxiliary blades will makecontact with the substance, for example snow, being plowed. Theauxiliary working surfaces of 14, 16 which form 150 angles with theprimary surface 12 provide the extremely useful function of confiningthe plowed snow to prevent spilling around the edges of the primaryblade 11. Such an arrangement is particularly desirable in situationswherein the plowed snow must be entirely removed from the area beingcleared rather than merely shifted to the side.

By control of the hydraulic cylinder 25 with conventional hydrauliccontrol apparatus (not shown) the auxiliary blades 13, 15 can be shiftedinto desired alternate positions. For example, a simultaneous inwardthrust of left piston rod 26 and outward thrust of right piston rod 27will cause the auxiliary blades 13, 15 to take the positions illustratedin the schematic showing of FIG. 4 wherein each of the auxiliary bladeshas rotated in a counterclockwise direction through an angle of about 30relative to primary blade 11. Thus the working surface 14 of left blade13 is in substantial alignment with the working surface 12 of theprimary blade 11 and the working surface 16 of right auxiliary blade 15forms an angle of about 120 therewith. Also the primary blade 11 hasalso been horizontally rotated in a counterclockwise direction so as toform an angle of about 60 with the vehicle direction D. With the blades11, 13, 15 as shown in FIG. 4 movement of the plow in the direction Dwill cause the plowed snow to slide along the working surfaces 12, 14and be discharged to the left of the left auxiliary blade 13. The rightauxiliary blade 15 which projects substantially in the direction ofmovement D will prevent the plowed snow from spilling over the rightedge of the plow device.

The increased capacity provided by the auxiliary blades 13, 15 will bereadily appreciated. In addition to the left auxiliary blade 13extending the total length of working surface the right auxiliary blade15, by preventing spillage, permits the vehicle operator to beg-in eachsuccessive plow swipe with the right edge of primary blade 11 at exactlythe edge of the preceding plow swipe.

FIG. shows the positioning of the various blades for plowing action inwhich the plowed snow is discharged to the right. For this applicationthe hydraulic cylinder 25 is operated to cause an inward thrust of rightpiston rod 27 and outward thrust of left piston rod 26. This causes eachof the auxiliary blades 13 and to pivot in a clockwise direction. Theprimary blade 11 is also horizontally rotated in a clockwise directionto form an angle of 60 with the intended direction D of the propellingvehicle.

The operation of the plow in this position is the same as that describedin connection with FIG. 4 except that the plowed snow will be dischargedto the right of the moving vehicle rather than to the left.

The ease with which the auxiliary blades 13, 15 can be shifted from thepositions shown in FIG. 4 to those of FIG. 5 is extremely important inmany plowing operations. For example, a plow operator can makesuccessive, adjacent traversals of a large area with each traversalshifting snow in the same lateral direction. This is accomplished bymerely shifting between the different blade positions shown in FIGS. 4and 5 and reversing the direction of the propelling vehicle before eachtraversal of the area being plowed.

FIGS. 6-8 show another plow embodiment of the present invention in whichthe structure of the primary blade 11 and auxiliary blades 13, 15 isexactly the same as that shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, the auxiliaryblade control provided by the hydraulic cylinder assembly 24 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is performed in this embodiment by themechanical linkage 50.

The primary blade 11 is supported by the A-frame 51 which is adapted forattatchment to a suitable propelling vehicle (not shown). The blade 11is pivotally attached to the apex of the A-frame by a pivot assembly 52which permits relative movement therebetween. Secured 0n the arms of theA-frame 51 is the base plate 53 having a centrally located sphericalindentation 54. Directly attached to the base plate 53 is a top plate 55also having a spherical indentation 56 aligned with the indentation 54to form a spherical cavity. Confined within this spherical cavity is thespherically shaped base 57 of the universal pivot joint assembly 58. Theuniversal assembly 58 also includes upright 59 which is attached to thespherical shaped base 57 and extends through a slot 61 in the indentedportion of the top plate 55.

The primary link 62 has ends pivotally connected to a bracket 63 rigidlyattached to the rear surface of primary blade 11 and to a bracket 64rigidly attached to upright 59. The auxiliary links 65 have one endpivotally connected to the mounting bar 66 and opposite ends rigidlyattached to the opposing rods 30 which connect to the auxiliary blades13, 15 with pivot arms 29 (as shown in FIG. 1). The connecting rod 67 isrigidly connected, for example, by welding between the upright 59 andthe central portion of mounting bar 66. Triangular shaped top support 68is rigidly attached to the rear portion of primary blade 11 and has anaperture 69 which accommodates the upright 59 with sufficient clearanceto allow .some relative movement therebetween.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 is similar to thatdescribed in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. However,in this embodiment the auxiliary blades 13, 15 are automaticallypositioned in response to horizontal rotational movement of the primaryblade 11. This movement is produced by conventional apparatus (notshown) frequently associated with plow devices of this type andtypically includes a hydraulic piston connected to the rear surface ofthe primary blade 11.

The automatic adjustment of the auxiliary blades 13, 15 takes place asfollows: Counter-clockwise rotation of primary blade 11 pulls primarylinks 62 producing counter-clockwise rotation of the upright 59 andattached connecting rod 67. This movement of the connecting rod 67pushes right auxiliary link 65 and pulls left auxiliary link 65 causingcounter-clockwise rotation of both auxiliary blades 13, 15 as describedabove in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1. Thus the primaryblade 11 and the auxiliary blades 13, 15 will assume the positionsillustrated in FIG. 4.

Conversely, clockwise rotation of the primary blade 11 will push primarylink 62 producing clockwise rotation of the upright 59 and attachedconnecting rod 67. This in turn pushes left auxiliary link 65 and pullsright auxiliary link 65 producing clockwise rotation of both auxiliaryblades 13, 15. The primary blade 11 and the auxiliary blades 13, 15 willtherefore automatically assume the positions shown in FIG. 5.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 has the advantage of providing properadjustment of the auxiliary blades without requiring an additionalmanipulation by the plow operator. As described above, the operatorautomatically obtains correct positioning of the auxiliary blades inresponse to conventional horizontal adjustment of the primary blade.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. For example only, althougha plane surfaced primary blade has been shown for simplicity it will beappreciated that the invention can be used with the more common scraperblade which has a vertically curved surface. In this regard, the termsubstantially straight primary blade working surface is meant to includeblade surfaces on which all horizontal lines are substantially parallel.It is therefore to be understood that the invention can be practicedotherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A plow device comprising an elongated primary scraper blade having asubstantially straight vertical surface adapted to contact a substanceto be plowed, a pair of auxiliary scraper blades having working surfacesadapted to contact the substance to be plowed, said auxiliary scraperblades being pivotally connected to each horizontal end of said primaryscraper blade, said auxiliary scraper blades adapted to pivot betweenpositions wherein said working surfaces are in substantial alignmentwith said substantially straight vertical surface of said primaryscraper blade and positions wherein said working surfaces make an angleof less than 180 with said substantially straight vertical surface,attachment means for connecting said plow device to a propellingvehicle, and control means connected between said auxiliary scraperblades and adapted to produce simultaneous pivotal movement of saidauxiliary scraper blades such that one of said auxiliary scraper bladeworking surfaces is moved into substantial alignment with saidsubstantially straight vertical surface when said other auxiliaryscraper blade working surface lies at an angle substantially less than180 thereto.

2. A plow device according to claim 1 wherein said control meanscomprises a double ended double acting hydraulic cylinder assemblyhaving opposed pistons connected to said auxiliary scraper blades.

3. A plow device according to claim 2 wherein said hydraulic cylinderassembly is mounted on the rear surface of said primary scraper bladeand said opposed pistons are pivotally connected to said auxiliaryscraper blades.

4. A plow device according to claim 3 wherein said hydraulic cylinderassembly is movably mounted so as to permit movement thereof relative tosaid primary scraper blade in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe rear surface thereof.

5. A plow device according to claim 1 including stop means adapted toprevent said auxiliary scraper blade working surfaces from making anangle of greater than 180 with said substantially straight verticalsurface.

6. A plow device according to claim 1 wherein said control meanscomprises a mechanical linkage connected between said auxiliary scraperblades and adapted to produce simultaneous pivotal movement thereof.

7. A plow device according to claim 6 wherein said mechanical linkage isconnected between said primary scraper blade and said auxiliary scraperblades and is adapted to produce pivotal movement of said auxiliaryscraper blades in response to rotation of said primary scraper bladeabout an axis perpendicular to the elongated direction thereof.

8. A plow device according to claim 7 wherein said mechanical linkage isadapted to produce pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper blades inthe same direction as the inducing rotational movement of said primaryscraper blade.

9. A plow device according to claim 8 wherein said mechanical linkageincludes a universal pivot joint positioned behind said primary scraperblade, a primary link connected between said universal pivot joint andthe back of said primary scraper blade, a pair of auxiliary links eachhaving one end pivotally connected to one of said auxiliary scraperblades, and a connecting link having one end connected to said universalpivot joint and another end pivotally connected to the other ends ofboth said connecting links.

10. A plow device comprising a primary scraper blade having a frontworking surface, auxiliary scraper blades pivotally connected toopposite sides of said primary scraper blade, and control meansconnected between said auxiliary scraper blades and including amechanical linkage means connected between said primary scraper bladeand said auxiliary scraper blades for producing simultaneous pivotalmovement of said auxiliary scraper blades in the same rotational senserelative to and in response to rotational movement of said primaryscraper blade about a vertical axis.

11. A plow device according to claim 10 wherein said control meanscomprises a double ended double acting hydraulic cylinder assemblyhaving opposed pistons connected to said auxiliary scraper blades.

12. A plow device according to claim 11 wherein said hydraulic cylinderassembly is mounted on the rear surface of said primary scraper bladeand said opposed pistons are pivotally connected to said auxiliaryscraper blades.

13. A plow device according to claim 12 wherein said hydraulic cylinderassembly is movably mounted to as to permit movement thereof relative tosaid primary scraper blade in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe rear surface thereof.

14. A plow device according to claim 10 wherein said mechanical linkageis adapted to produce pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper bladesin the same direction as the inducing rotational movement of saidprimary scraper blade.

15. A plow device according to claim 14 wherein said mechanical linkageincludes a universal pivot joint positioned behind said primary scraperblade, a primary link connected between said universal pivot joint andthe back of said primary scraper blade, a pair of auxiliary links eachhaving one end pivotally connected to one of said auxiliary scraperblades, and a connecting link having one end connected to said universalpivot joint and another end pivotally connected to the other ends ofboth said connecting links.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,454,757 5/ 1923 Merillat.2,006,384 7/1935 Burgess. 2,230,704 2/ 1941 Sorensen. 2,646,633 7/1953Jahn. 2,938,285 5/ 1960 Lindeman. 3,061,955 11/ 1962 Violette. 2,643,4726/1953 Mertz. 3,157,099 11/ 1964 Ulrich.

FOREIGN PATENTS 873,189 3/1942 France.

ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner A. E. KOPE'CKI, Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R. 172-802

